Question 1

How do I set up a channel in Backbone.Radio?

Accepted Answer

Use Backbone.Radio.channel('channelName') to create or access a channel, then attach handlers with on() for events or reply() for requests. For example, var userChannel = Backbone.Radio.channel('user'); lets you organize messaging under the 'user' namespace.

Question 2

What's the difference between Backbone.Radio and plain Backbone.Events?

Accepted Answer

Backbone.Radio adds request-reply patterns and explicit channels for namespacing, while Backbone.Events only supports publish-subscribe. Radio provides more structured communication, reducing event collisions and offering debugging tools like DEBUG mode.

Question 3

Can I use Backbone.Radio with WebSockets?

Accepted Answer

Not directly; Backbone.Radio is for in-app messaging, so you'd need to integrate WebSockets separately, such as by triggering Radio events when WebSocket messages arrive. It lacks built-in support for real-time external communication.

Question 4

How to debug Backbone.Radio events in development?

Accepted Answer

Enable DEBUG mode by setting Backbone.Radio.DEBUG = true, which logs warnings for unhandled requests. Use tuneIn('channelName') to monitor all activity on a channel, with logs sent to Radio.log for easy inspection.

Question 5

Backbone.Radio or Marionette's built-in events: which is better?

Accepted Answer

From Marionette v3, Radio is integrated by default, so they work together seamlessly. For Marionette apps, use Radio via Marionette's API; otherwise, Radio standalone is better for non-Marionette Backbone apps needing structured messaging.

Question 6

Is Backbone.Radio still maintained?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but activity is limited as it's part of the Backbone ecosystem, which has slower development. Check the GitHub repository for recent updates, but it's stable for existing Backbone projects, especially with Marionette integration.

Question 7

How to remove event listeners in Backbone.Radio?

Accepted Answer

Use stopListening() on objects or channel.reset() to clear all handlers. For specific requests, use stopReplying() with the request name, as documented in the API section to manage memory and prevent leaks.

Backbone.Radio

What is Backbone.Radio?

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